Crystal Palace: John Textor selling stake in club amid Everton takeover links

Crystal Palace part-owner John Textor is said to be the front-runner to buy Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake in Everton.

Textor is trying to sell the 45 per cent share in Palace that is owned by his company Eagle Football Holdings.

The American has instructed investment banking firm Raine Group to find a prospective buyer for that share in Palace, which he needs to do to acquire another Premier League club.

Palace are one of four clubs Textor owns with Eagle Football, alongside majority stakes in French side Lyon, Brazilian first division club Botafogo and Belgian side RWD Molenbeek.

Multi-club model: John Textor is also the owner of Lyon, Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek (AFP via Getty Images)
Multi-club model: John Textor is also the owner of Lyon, Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek (AFP via Getty Images)

Textor bought a 40 per cent shareholding in Palace for £87.5million in 2021 and then increased it by five per cent last year.

It is understood the Palace board disagreed on multi-club ownership, but Textor’s decision to sell his stake has been received amicably.

Palace finished 10th this season under Oliver Glasner and Textor told The Athletic last week: “So, why would we sell, just when things are getting so good?

“Well, Eagle Football is known to employ a highly-integrated sporting model across its football clubs, with an unprecedented amount of scouting collaboration and player movement within the family of clubs.”